FEASSSA: Kenyan teams eye three football semi-final spots in Uganda

Kenyan boys' football teams Musingu High School, St. Joseph’s Kitale, and Highway Secondary School aim to keep their chances alive for advancing to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) semi-finals when they take to the field on Friday.

These three teams carry Kenya's hopes in the quest for the elusive football medal, which Ugandan schools have dominated since the sport's introduction in the tournament.

Only Barding High School in 2016 and St. Anthony’s Kitale in 2002 have won the prestigious regional title for Kenya, while host nation Uganda has claimed it 16 times, with St. Mary’s Kitende winning 14 of those titles.

On Wednesday, Kenya’s gold and silver medalists, Highway and Musingu, respectively, won their preliminary matches to stay on course for a spot in the last four.

In Pool A, under the guidance of Beldine Odemba, who is currently on duty with Kenya Police Bullets, Highway defeated Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School to move to third place in the standings, with three points, behind leaders Bukedea Comprehensive and St. Mary’s Kitende, who have five and four points, respectively.

Highway, who lost their opening match to serial champions Kitende, must win their Friday match against compatriots St. Joseph’s Boys to keep their chances of advancing past the group stages alive, a feat they achieved the first time they competed at the East African level.

St. Joseph’s, also known as JOBO, views the match as crucial to their FEASSSA campaign. A win would give them more confidence heading into the final day of the competition, while a defeat would eliminate them from contention for a semi-final spot.

JOBO has two points from two matches after drawing against Bukedea and Benjamin Mkapa in their opening games.

Highway captain and central defender Miguel Osotsi has urged his teammates to stay focused and give their best in the remaining matches.

“It was important for us to win against the Tanzanians after losing the first match. We worked on our mistakes, and our title hunt is back on track. We believe we can make it,” said Osotsi.

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In Pool B, Musingu High School, nicknamed The Scorpions, secured the biggest win of the ongoing games by defeating Tanzania’s Kalangala Secondary School 4-0 in their second group game.

They will face Rwanda’s APE-Rugunga in their third group match.

Musingu is currently tied at the top of the standings with four points, alongside defending champions Amus College and Rugunga, while Uganda's champions, St. Julian Seeta, are in fourth place with three points.

A win for the Western Region Kings would secure a place in the semi-finals for the first time in the school’s history.

Musingu coach Brenden Mwinamo remains optimistic about his side’s chances of winning the title.

In girls' football, national champions Butere Girls have already booked a ticket to the semi-finals with two games to spare after taking control of Pool B with seven points.

Other Kenyan representatives, Nyakach Girls, lead Pool A, tied on four points with St. Noah Girls, Kawempe Muslims, and St. Joseph Girls Kitale.

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FEASSSA Friday Fixtures

Boys Football

9:00 AM: Musingu High School (Ken) vs. APE-Rugunga (Rw)

11:00 AM: Benjamin Mkapa Sec. (Tz) vs. St. Mary's Kitende (Ug)

3:00 PM: St. Joseph's, Kitale (Ke) vs. Highway Sec. Sch. (Ke)

3:00 PM: Amus College (Ug) vs. St. Julian (Ug)

Girls Football

9:00 AM: GS. Remera-Rukoma (Rw) vs. Rines Sec School (Ug)

9:00 AM: Alliance Sec (Tz) vs. Butere Girls H.S. (Ke)

11:00 AM: Tanzanite Sec (Tz) vs. Kawempe Muslim (Ug)

11:00 AM: St. Noa Girls SS (Ug) vs. Nyakach Girls H.S. (Ke)